Effectiveness of non-lethal capabilities in a maritime environment

Abstract

The attack on the USS Cole within a civilian port, and the increased threat of pirating and terrorism on the high seas, underscore the immediate need for a maritime non-lethal capability. This research uses modeling and simulation to explore the requirements and tactical use of non-lethal capabilities in a maritime force protection mission. Specifically, a multi-agent simulation emulates a tactical-level mission in which a U.S. Navy vessel returning to Naval Station, Norfolk, VA, encounters a variety of maritime surface threats. Data farming is the method used to address the research questions by applying high performance computing to the simulation model, with the intent of examining a wide range of possibilities and outcomes. The non-lethal capabilities are analyzed in their effectiveness to 1) determine intent, 2) deter inbound surface vessels, and 3) engage targets identified as hostile through the continuum of force.